Upholstery and Fabrics - Microfiber couch problem
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Gretchen19
02-01-09, 01:20 AM
I bought a new microfiber couch and was told not to scotchguard it. It is really nice and I have had two spills on it and it cleans up like magic. So here is the problem.
My husband got a cranberry colored robe for Xmas, he washed it and a couple days after that started wearing it. The dye from the robe made the couch pink after he sat in it. I took the robe back to Macys and they gave us our money back. The couch has a 1 yr. warranty for upholstery. The furniture people are telling me it isn't covered because it is the robe's fault. I have never heard of clothing bleeding onto furniture. So now I have a new beige couch with pink dye stains on it. The couch is 4 mos. old. I don't know what other options I have now.
My husband got a cranberry colored robe for Xmas, he washed it and a couple days after that started wearing it. The dye from the robe made the couch pink after he sat in it. I took the robe back to Macys and they gave us our money back. The couch has a 1 yr. warranty for upholstery. The furniture people are telling me it isn't covered because it is the robe's fault. I have never heard of clothing bleeding onto furniture. So now I have a new beige couch with pink dye stains on it. The couch is 4 mos. old. I don't know what other options I have now.
Shadeladie
02-01-09, 10:24 AM
Rit sells a color remover product, however, I'd be afraid to use it on a brand new couch. You may want to consider having an upholstery professional come in and take care of it or at least find out if they can do it. They may have a simlar but professional product they use that will remove the dye.
Guarantees never cover user error, I'm afraid, even if it wasn't your fault.
Dyes can run off terribly if the manufacturer did not use a colorfast dye, especially reds and blacks. If you wash something and notice a heavy bleeding, it's best to wash a few times until the water runs clearer.
I've seen dyes come off clothing several times, but have learned from it.
Guarantees never cover user error, I'm afraid, even if it wasn't your fault.
Dyes can run off terribly if the manufacturer did not use a colorfast dye, especially reds and blacks. If you wash something and notice a heavy bleeding, it's best to wash a few times until the water runs clearer.
I've seen dyes come off clothing several times, but have learned from it.
twelvepole
02-01-09, 01:02 PM
Dye transfer can be challenging to remove. A professional upholstery cleaner is recommended. Anything strong enough to remove the dye transfer may remove the dye from the microfiber if it was not solution dyed (color added when fibers were in molten state).
Rubbing alcohol, the mildest household solvent, can be tested in inconspicuous place for ill effects on upholstery fibers and dye. If none, proceed to the affected area with dye transfer and proceed to blot with white rag from outside stain toward middle to prevent spreading. Denatured alcohol and dry cleaning fluid are stronger solvents that may be used. Test first for ill effects.
Not all microfiber fabrics are created equal. Most are woven of super fine fibers from polyester or nylon or a combination of those and other fibers like polypropylene (plastic). All of these fibers are made from petrochemicals.
Check cleaning label on sofa. It should be located beneath cushions. Some sofa upholstery can be cleaned with water-based cleaners. Others are chemical clean only. Some labels show either method is acceptable.
X=vacuum only
W=water-based cleaner, using foam only
S=solvent cleaner
S-W=solvent or water-based cleaner
Any DIY cleaning method should be tested first in inconspicuous place for ill effects on upholstery fibers and dye. Blot. Do not rub fibers. Blot from outside dye stain toward middle to avoid spreading.
Video link to Ashley Furniture microfiber cleaning tips: YouTube - How To Clean Microfibers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxhsASShBSU)
Note: Never pour cleaner onto upholstery as demonstrated in the video. Mild soap or detergent can be used for cleaning upholstery. Mix detergent and water with mixer and use foam to clean upholstery. This prevents saturating the upholstery.
Microfiber upholstery care and maintenance:
Clean Chat with Jim Pemberton: Microfiber Upholstery Cleaning (http://jimscleanchat.blogspot.com/2008/07/microfiber-upholstery-cleaning.html)
Cleaning Microfiber Furniture - Tips to Keep it Looking Great | Content for Reprint (http://www.content4reprint.com/home/cleaning-microfiber-furniture-tips-to-keep-it-looking-great.htm)
Products:
Fabric Protection (http://www.metroguardian.net/shop/fabric-protection-c-7.html)
Rubbing alcohol, the mildest household solvent, can be tested in inconspicuous place for ill effects on upholstery fibers and dye. If none, proceed to the affected area with dye transfer and proceed to blot with white rag from outside stain toward middle to prevent spreading. Denatured alcohol and dry cleaning fluid are stronger solvents that may be used. Test first for ill effects.
Not all microfiber fabrics are created equal. Most are woven of super fine fibers from polyester or nylon or a combination of those and other fibers like polypropylene (plastic). All of these fibers are made from petrochemicals.
Check cleaning label on sofa. It should be located beneath cushions. Some sofa upholstery can be cleaned with water-based cleaners. Others are chemical clean only. Some labels show either method is acceptable.
X=vacuum only
W=water-based cleaner, using foam only
S=solvent cleaner
S-W=solvent or water-based cleaner
Any DIY cleaning method should be tested first in inconspicuous place for ill effects on upholstery fibers and dye. Blot. Do not rub fibers. Blot from outside dye stain toward middle to avoid spreading.
Video link to Ashley Furniture microfiber cleaning tips: YouTube - How To Clean Microfibers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxhsASShBSU)
Note: Never pour cleaner onto upholstery as demonstrated in the video. Mild soap or detergent can be used for cleaning upholstery. Mix detergent and water with mixer and use foam to clean upholstery. This prevents saturating the upholstery.
Microfiber upholstery care and maintenance:
Clean Chat with Jim Pemberton: Microfiber Upholstery Cleaning (http://jimscleanchat.blogspot.com/2008/07/microfiber-upholstery-cleaning.html)
Cleaning Microfiber Furniture - Tips to Keep it Looking Great | Content for Reprint (http://www.content4reprint.com/home/cleaning-microfiber-furniture-tips-to-keep-it-looking-great.htm)
Products:
Fabric Protection (http://www.metroguardian.net/shop/fabric-protection-c-7.html)